Toshiba PDR-M25 2.3 Megapixel Camera 3X Optical/2X Digital Zoom for $192.55, Free shipping at Buy.com

[Parn]

This camera is on deal of the day here.

Then use the 10% off coupon for using Discover, and you get it for $192.55.

If you don't have discover, use the $15 off $200 coupon, and get it for $198.95.

Not the biggest savings... but it's cheaper than seen on Pricewatch.

 

[Tomeeboy]

Just wanted to point out.. this camera has a 3x optical zoom in addition to the 2x digital zoom, which is pretty nice. The digital zoom was the only thing mentioned in the heading, so I thought I'd bring it up The camera sounds a lot nicer when you take that into consideration, since a 2x digital zoom really isn't much zoom at all.

Unfortunately, it looks like this camera uses regular batteries, instead of one that you can recharge. Digital cameras with LCD screens eat up batteries like crazy. That alone makes this camera lose a lot of appeal :\ The battery costs alone would outweigh any possible deal you could get on it

-Tom

 

[Parn]

You are right. I will change the title now.

 

[Tomeeboy]

Heh.. I was originally going to post that some people would be disappointed with the zoom on a camera that only had a 2x digital zoom (before I saw that it had a 3x optical as well)... then I thought that maybe I should check out the product page before making an ass out of myself, and sure enough, there was the 3x optical listed in the features, hehe

-Tom

 

[greg]

Another good camera

Fuji FinePix 2600 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

$213.95

 

[BobSnob]

Unfortunately, it looks like this camera uses regular batteries, instead of one that you can recharge.

It uses AA batteries and of course you can get rechargable versions of these, although they don't come with the camera.

There's a review of this camera here that says "The overall image quality is good but not what I'd call great". I personally would save my money for another camera.

 

[DorkBoy]

Thanks

 

[Tomeeboy]

Well, yeah.. you can get rechargeable AA batteries... but they aren't the same (especially compared to a proprietary lithium ion battery). For one, you don't have the luxury of being able to charge the batteries while they're inside the camera, as you do with a lot of cameras that use proprietary batteries... you have to use a seperate recharger, and that's a pain. Plus, proprietary lithium ion batteries have 2x the capacity of nickel metal hydride rechargeables and about 3x the capacity of nickel cadmium rechargeables... and when it comes to digital cameras, I think that's pretty important. Lithium ion batteries are lighter as well, and do not suffer from the 'memory loss' that other types of rechargeables suffer from (this is where you have to completely drain the battery and recharge it to full, or you won't even get full life out of a charge). After having both a camera that used standard AA batteries and one that used a proprietary LiON battery, I just prefer the proprietary battery

-Tom

 

[Parn]

I guess Fuji one is a better camera, but Toshiba is cheaper... if the $20 difference is something you want to save

 

[BobSnob]

Tomeeboy, Li-Ion is undoubtedly better than NiMH. However, I prefer NiMH standard formats over Li-Ion proprietary formats because they are much cheaper and you can carry as many charged sets with you as you need. Also Li-Ion is only good for about 500 charge cycles so after a perhaps couple of years you have to buy another one... and good luck in finding one. Lastly, there's not a lot of difference in the capacity of Li-Ion and NiMH.

 

[bit]

some owner opinions

 

[JimmyBoy]

I'm quite sure that the last time I was in Costco I saw this camera for $199.00. From the reviews I've read the Fuji 2600 is better ( I have the 2600 and an Oly 2100UZ and the Fuji impresses me every time I use it). But this camera does have the video output and cable which may be inportant to some people. I'm not sure but I think the version at Costco had something else included. Perhaps somebody near a Costco can check it out. I know when I saw it at Costco I thought it was a good deal.

 

[JimmyBoy]

Just saw the thread about the Fuji 2600 with 32mb card for $213 delivered. Well that is definately the way to go if that is still available.

 

[kof]

Originally posted by: Tomeeboy
<snip>
I just prefer the proprietary battery

-Tom

And I prefer to be able to walk into the [drugstore in Serbia], [the PX at Eagle Base] or [the gas station in Dennis, MS] etc. and buy a few AA's and crank out a few more frames. My family has at least 3 MP3 players, about 6 pocket radios, some plain CD players, 2 DigiCams, numerous flashlights and 2 PDA's that take AA's. We maintain probably 20 hot AA's (1800 MAH from Thomas Distributing) at any one time. Whoops the camera batteries ran out - put in the flashlight batteries (etc).
If you only have 1 item that uses batteries, proprietary is not a killer.
Otherwise compatability is a bonus.

 

[BigSmooth]

This camera (the Toshiba) is $199 at my local Costco B & M.